Amber Heard Was Arrested on a Charge of Domestic Violence Against Her Girlfriend in 2009

by Antoinette Bueno
11:13 AM PDT, June 07, 2016

Playing
Amber Heard Was Arrested on a Charge of Domestic Violence Against Her Girlfriend in 2009

Amber Heard, who's alleging that Johnny Depp emotionally and physically abused her over the course of their relationship, was herself arrested on a charge of domestic violence in 2009, ET can confirm.

Heard was arrested and booked for Assault in the Fourth Degree -- Domestic Violence, a misdemeanor offense, against her then-girlfriend, photographer Tasya van Ree, on Sept. 15, 2009 at 1:14 a.m., and released the same day at 4:23 p.m. Heard used van Ree's last name in official records, going by "Amber Vanree." The prosecuting attorney’s office declined to file criminal charges at the time.

According to TMZ, Heard, 30, and van Ree, 40, got in an argument the day before at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which triggered the arrest. Heard allegedly grabbed and struck van Ree in the arm, which upset van Ree. At the court hearing, the prosecutor said that no charges would be filed against Heard at the time since both women lived in California, but noted they could reconsider and refile within the two-year statute of limitations.

In November 2011, the Port of Seattle Police Department received a request to delete the arrest information, at which point the arrest report was removed from the system, ET can confirm.

"Bulls**t. I've had enough," Wright wrote, slamming a story raising questions about Heard's reported injuries. “I saw the bruises. Many times. And the fat lip. And the cut head."

"How much evidence does a woman need to present?!" Wright continued. "She has photos, texts, witnesses, and filed a restraining order… This culture of victim blaming makes me sick. I'm a witness. I'm here. I'm standing up. I can't take any more of this witch hunt."

Last Wednesday, ET exclusively obtained never-before-seen text messages that a source said are between Heard and a man purported to be Depp's assistant, Stephen Deuters. The text messages, which a source says are from May 2014, detail alleged assault by Depp.

"He was appalled. When I told him he kicked you, he cried," Deuters allegedly texted Heard. "It was disgusting. And he knows it."

"He's a little lost boy. And needs all the help he can get," he allegedly continued. "He is so very sorry, as he should be."

ET was not able to independently verify the recipients of the messages or whether they had been edited, and Deuters and Depp declined to comment to ET. Deuters later said the texts were "heavily doctored," according to TMZ, and denied Depp had assaulted Heard.

However, on Monday, People obtained a signed statement by computer forensic consultant Kevin Cohen, who said he authenticated the May 25, 2014, time stamp on the text exchange, and asserts that none of its contents had been altered.

While Depp, 52, has yet to directly respond to Heard's allegations against him, his divorce attorney, Laura Wasser, claimed in court documents that Heard is "attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse."